Danny Houghton is hoping the criticism of Marc Sneyd continues right up to the Grand Final after seeing Hull FC ’s most scrutinised player come up with the goods once again.

Winning the Lance Todd Trophy for the second successive year, and in the process becoming the first man to ever win it outright back-to-back, Sneyd again underlined his importance to Hull at Wembley with an example of the perfect kicking game, coupled with assured game management.

Maligned by some pundits, overlooked by most outside the City, the scrum-half’s stock may not be high across the game but certainly is inside the FC changing room.

And having seen Sneyd shine yet again in a big game, the reigning Man of Steel has no problem if the criticism keeps coming for his team-mate.

“Sneydy comes in for some criticism, but he’s a special guy and a special player and I don’t mind if they keep trying to knock him down because it doesn’t bother him and he keeps coming up with performances like that,” said Houghton.

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“We have a special group of players here. Sneydy is one of them too. He knows how much we rate him.”

While Sneyd won the Lance Todd Trophy last year, much of the focus was on Danny Houghton’s match-saving tackle on Ben Currie, with tackle 52 becoming part of the history of the club as much as any play ever has.

For Houghton this year there was no being centre of attention, just how he liked it.

His performance was just as important, but the man who epitomises the team ethic was more than happy to see the team praised as a collective without himself being singled out.

And what especially pleased Houghton was the fact Hull’s display was much better than 12 months ago.

Winning may be all that matters, but doing it in a fashion that’s satisfying and in a game which will be remembered as one of the most exciting or years was also important.

“I think you saw a better Hull FC team this time than people saw last year, I think you saw the best of us and that was important for the boys,” added Houghton.